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Chapter : 04
“Miss!”
Lucy finally burst into tears. Seeing Lucy sobbing, her nose wrinkled and covered with freckles, Anna felt the heaviness in her chest ease just a little.
‘At least someone is sad for my misfortune.’
She gently stroked Lucy’s back as the girl buried her face on Anna’s knee.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not finished yet. Try to hold it in for a little longer. I’ll let you cry as much as you want soon.”
“Yes, yes… sniff.”
Obedient Lucy wiped her tears and nose with her sleeve and sat up straight.
“Luckily, the money in my own account wasn’t touched. Since it’s in my name, they couldn’t take it without my seal. But someone tried to cause a scene at the bank, demanding to know why they couldn’t take it too.”
Lucy gulped.
“W-who did that?”
“Who else would it be but the person I put in charge of the family’s money—besides my father?”
Anna finally sighed and pressed her aching forehead.
“I ran straight to the mansion to find Father, but he was gone. Henry said he left in a hurry and would be away for a few days.”
Lucy looked like she wanted to say something but stayed quiet. Anna spoke as if she could see right through Lucy’s mind.
“You’re right. He ran away. Anyway, I was left anxiously waiting for Father to come back. But instead, Edward came to the mansion the next day—to apologize for the disaster at the tea party.”
“Why would he apologize for that…? Oh!”
Lucy’s eyes widened as she realized. Anna nodded with a gloomy face.
“Behind all the rude things the guests did to me was the Countess of Haimel—Edward’s mother. If she hadn’t allowed it, that wouldn’t have happened.”
Lucy nodded, looking deflated.
“…I guess you’re right.”
“That’s when I heard about the Marquis Nomen.”
Anna recalled the bitter memory of that day.
[I’m sorry, Anna. I really didn’t know my mother would do that.]
Edward’s smooth face was twisted with regret. Anna forced a smile on her tired face, not having slept at all.
[It’s okay. It’s not your fault.]
But as soon as she finished speaking, her throat closed up and she suddenly started to cry. Edward, startled, rushed over and tried to comfort her.
[Anna, don’t cry. When you cry, my heart feels like it’s being ripped apart.]
[Edward… I just don’t understand how all this could happen…]
Anna pressed her face into the handkerchief he offered, sobbing softly. She didn’t want to show her weakness to her childhood friend, but she was so overwhelmed she couldn’t help it. Edward sighed deeply, looking at her with pity.
[To be honest, there have been rumors for a while about your family’s troubles.]
[…What?]
Anna looked up in shock. Did that mean all this hadn’t just happened suddenly? But that wasn’t even the biggest shock.
[I don’t know if I should say this, but… your father has been asking me for money.]
Anna was stunned into silence. Her father, begging her fiancé for money? She was so shocked her hair seemed to stand on end.
Edward looked ashamed.
[I’m sorry. I only gave it because I wanted to help. I didn’t know it was for gambling…]
[…Did you just say gambling?]
The shock hit Anna even harder. Gambling? The ground beneath her seemed to shatter.
Edward mumbled, looking awkward.
[I tried to stop it on my own, but in the end, my mother found out too…]
[Ah…]
Now it all made sense. That’s why the Countess of Haimel acted like that at the tea party. It was her way of telling Anna: Get out of my son’s life, you and your father are nothing but parasites.
Humiliated, Anna lowered her head and gripped her skirt tightly. She was so ashamed she didn’t know what to say. As Anna was struggling for words, Edward continued carefully.
[There’s an even worse rumor, though.]
Anna’s pale face shot up. How could it get any worse? Her heart felt tied up with a rope.
[Anna, have you heard of Marquis Nomen? He’s from an old family in the east.]
Anna frowned, thinking.
[…I’ve only heard the name. Isn’t he the old noble who’s been widowed many times?]
[That’s right. Apparently, he’s in contact with your father right now.]
[Why…?]
Even though she didn’t know the details, Anna felt a chill down her spine. Seeing Anna turn pale, Edward quickly hugged her shoulders.
[Don’t be too scared. They said Count Everkline was trying to get an investment from Marquis Nomen.]
[…An investment?]
Anna twisted away from his hand. Edward looked at his hand, then smiled as if nothing had happened.
[That’s what I heard when I looked into it quietly.]
Anna squeezed her cold hands together and muttered anxiously.
[I heard he’s one of the richest men in the empire. If we get his help, will our family be okay again?]
[Maybe. So don’t worry too much just yet, all right?]
[I guess so. Thank you, Edward. I feel a little better after talking to you.]
Anna forced a smile. Edward also smiled, then cautiously asked,
[So, what are you going to do now?]
Anna thought hard.
The situation had changed. What she thought was just an embezzling estate manager might actually be something much worse.
‘Gambling… At worst, not only all the cash could be gone, but the properties could be mortgaged too.’
But in the empire, selling land without proper rights was illegal. That’s why Somerset House always checked the owner’s identity for any property transfers, and most of the Everkline property was in Anna’s name.
‘Did Father forge my seal with Mr. Machi’s help?’
Her head hurt. Anna frowned and spoke firmly.
[First, I have to find the missing estate manager as soon as possible. Maybe not everything is lost yet.]
There was a lot to do. She needed to check the police for information on the missing manager, go to Somerset House to check for property transfers, and ask a lawyer about her father.
‘Most of all, I need to strip Father of all authority and check the amount of overdue bills. I can’t leave his assistant either, since he was always suspicious. Firing him will at least be one small relief.’
Thinking about all this, Anna felt like she couldn’t breathe.
[Are you going to do all that by yourself? Maybe I should—]
Edward tried to take her hand, but Anna held onto her teacup instead.
Anna forced another smile.
[No, Edward. I already owe you too much.]
[…]
[I’ll try to handle it on my own.]
Edward looked at her for a moment, then smiled.
[But if it gets too hard, tell me. I’ll always help you.]
[Thank you. Just knowing that helps.]
Anna stood up to see Edward out. He followed her quietly to the front door. Before stepping out, he turned, kissed her cheek, and whispered,
[It won’t be long.]
Anna blinked, confused.
[What do you mean?]
[I mean your hardships are almost over. Good days are coming soon, right?]
Edward gave a meaningful smile and left. Anna closed the door, feeling troubled.
“And a few days later, Father came back.”
Anna shook her head in disbelief. Her father only returned after Anna had fired his assistant and the family lawyer, and with Henry’s help, managed to clean up the mess. He came back acting as if nothing had happened.
As she feared, he had even taken the money set aside for household expenses. Anna had to use her own savings and even her emergency fund to pay all the overdue bills. After clearing the debts, she calculated that with the money left, she could only last about half a year.
‘I must solve everything within six months…’
Anna took a deep breath and continued.
“I asked him what he’d done with the money and the property deeds. He said the estate manager tempted him with a great investment—promising over 500% profit. So he handed everything over. Then Mr. Machi disappeared.”
If property ownership changed, it had to be reported at Somerset House, but for using deeds as collateral, there was no such rule. Who knew where those deeds were now? Anna clenched her teeth so hard her jaw stuck out.
